Valve device for automatic train pipe couplings



Dec. 22,1931. U. A. wHlTAKER VALVE DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLINGS Filed Dec. 14

ku Nm @ou w Patented Dec. 7,22, 1931 i UNITE D; STA- ES PATENT ol-rIcE UNcAs A. wHITAxEE., or WILMEEDING, PENNSYLVANIAASSIGNOR To THE WESTING- HoUsE ATE. BRAKE eoMrANY, 0E WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA, ,A comonATIoNy Y OF PENNSYLVANIA VALVE DEVICE Fon AUToMATTc TRAIN PIPE coUPLINGs Alipncation sied December 14, i928. serialY No. 326,088.

This invention relates to automatic train` pipe couplings, and more particularly to the type known as the tight or rigidlock coupling. l. ,Y r .Y

An object of the invention is to provide la train pipe coupling of theabove mentioned type with means for controlling the: flow'of the fluid through the brake pipe so as topermit at least aV service reduction when the couplings are connected regardless of the position of vthevhandle of the brake` pipe anglecock.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a train pipe Vcouplingof the above men` tioned type with means by which the charging of an empty section ofV train fromVv a charged section-will be effected without'causing an emergency application on the charged sectioin Y f Another object of the inventionis to provide a train pipe coupling in Which the brake pipe fiuid is controlled by means of an automatically operated primary valve device, and a semi-automatically operated secondary valve device which is adapted to regulate the amount of fluid flowingfthrough the Vbrake pipe irrespective of the position of the primary valve device. Y

Another object ofthe invention is to pro` vide a train pipe coupling of the character mentioned which is simple in construction, and reliable and eXactin function under all conditions of service.V l

The invention also comprises certain new and useful improvements in the construction,

arrangement and combination ofthe several parts of which itis composed, as will `be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying .-drawings; `Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an automatic train pipe coupling embodying 'the invention, showing the same coupled to a counterpart coupling; and Fig. 2 isa section through a portion of the brake pipe, showing a modified form of angle cock installed therein.

Train pipe couplings of the :type known as the tight orrigid lockcoupling, are shown for example in theV WestinghousefPatent' No. 708,747, dated September 9, 1902, and in laterally projecting hook-shaped Vportion adapted to engage the corresponding portion of a counterpart coupling by a relatively lateral movement, and be rigidly locked together by cam leversor latches, one pivotedon each coupling head and bearing against the other counterpart coupling head.` Train pipe passages are -in the coupling heads and arepro- "vided with. gaskets adapted to abut against corresponding gaskets of the'` Y'counter art 1 coupling head when the two are connectev to- "gethernl "While a' coupling of the above type will automatically couple with a counterpart coupling when two cars are brought together, `it l is* necessary to ,manually operate the traih pipe valvesto charge an empty section of Y train from a charged section.

By the` present invention, means are provided for 'automaticallyy opening thefbrake pipe` angle cock when the couplingis being coupled to a counterpart coupling `in such a manner that when an empty section is being 'connected to a charged section the amount: of

fluid under pressure passing from Vthel charged section into the uncharged section :will be ati such a rate as Vnot to cause an emergency application of the brakes on the charged section, Furthermore, the brake pipeangle cock is so constructed that a service reduction can be made in the` brake. pipe fiuid lpressure when the lcouplings are connected together, regardless of angle vcock handle. Y.

Referring to thedrawings, the automatic train pipe couplingheadV 11` comprises aprothe position `of `the Vlecting nose 12 adapted Vto engage in a recess "13 of a counterpart'coupling head;` r v A lever14`pivoted in the coupling. head 11 at 15has acain face 16 adaptedto engage V the face 17 of acounterpart couplnghead and lock the two coupling yheads together when the same are cou shown in Figl. Y

The lever 111:` carriesan arm 18, to which a` rod 19 is pivotallyv connected by a pin 20. The outer end ofthe rod- 19'is provided with a head 21, and interposedA between said head u and: a fixed abutment 22, is a coil sprin 23. which each coupling head'isprovidedwith a i The rear end ofthe coupling hea 11A isA pled in the manner formed With a tubular extension 2'5 which constitutes a guide for the forward end of a stem 26.

The stem 26 has its rear end provided with a ball section 27 adapted to be mounted in a socket (not shown) carried by the car.

The tubular extension 25 is provided with diametrically disposed longitudinal slots 28 into which extend the projecting ends of a in 29 which is passed transversely through the stem 26.

A coil spring 30 encircles the stem 26 and the tubular extension 25, one end of the spring bearing against a flange 31 formed on the inner end of the coupling head, while the opposite end of the spring bears against a collar 32 at the inner end of the stem.

The spring 30 is normally under initial compression, which tends to hold the parts extended. However, when the coupling head is coupled to acounterpart coupling, the spring is compressed, and the forward end of the stem 26 is disposed in the coupling head in the manner shown in Fig. 1, for a purpose to be described. Y

At the front end, the stem 26 is provided with an extended portion 33, on which a roller `34 is mounted by means of a pin 35.y The roller 34 is disposed along the longitudinal center line of the stem and it is adapted to be engaged by the hook-shaped end 36 of an arm 37 extending` from the lever 14. i

When the coupling head is coupled to a counterpart coupling, the spring 23 will force the cam surface 16 of the lever 14 tightly into engagement with the surface 17 of the counterpart coupling and the end 36 of the arm 37 will be disengaged from the roller 34. However, when the cars are uncoupled and the couplings separate, the spring 30 will force the coupling head outwardly on the Stem 26, thereby bringing the cam surface 38 on the end 36 of the arm 37 into contact with the roller 34. I

The extremity of the end 36 is formed with an arcuate recess 39 into which the roller 34 rests when the coupling head 11 is moved outwardly with respect to the stem when the coupling is being uncoupled. Therefore, the lever 14 will be retained in its innermost position by the interlocking of the end of the arm 37 with the extremity of the stem 26.

As shown in Fig. 1, the coupling head 11 is formed with a lug 40 for limiting the outward swinging movement of the lever 14.

The coupling head 11 is formed with a conduit 41, the forward end of which is provided with a gasket 42 adapted to engagethe corresponding gasket on the counterpart coupling and make a fluid tight oint when the couplings are connected together, while the rear endl of the conduit is connected to a brake pipe 51 in the usual manner.

The forward portion of the conduit is enclosed by. a tubular casing 43 containing an der 49 formed on the exterior of the conduit 41. In this way the abutting gaskets 42 of the two coupling heads will be held tightly together irrespective of the relative movements of the coupling heads when the cars are coupled together, as will be understood.

Mounted in the coupling head isa primary valve device 50 adapted to be automatically actuated when the cars are being uncoupled to close the communication through the conduit 41, so as to prevent the loss of fluid in the brake pipe 51 through the open end of the conduit.

Thevvalve device 50 includes a diaphragm 52 which is mounted in the valve casing for movement toward and away from a seat rib 57 formed in the conduit 41.

On one side the diaphragm 52 is subject to the pressure of uid in a chamber 53 formed as an enlargement of the conduit 41, while on the opposite side the diaphragm is subject to the pressure of fluid in a chamber 54.

he chamber 53 is in communication with the chamber 54 through a passage 55 having a restricted portion 56 therein to provide a choke.

As shown in Fig. 1, when the coupling is loperatively connected to a counterpart cou pling, the diaphragm 52 will be unseated from the seat rib 57 and will be seated a seat rib 58 so as to cut off communication from the chamber 54 to a chamber 59 of less area. The portion of the diaphragm disposed within the seat rib 58 carries ahead 60.

The liuted stem 61 of a valve 62 extends through an opening 63 in a wall 64 separatw ing the chamber 59 from a chamber and bears against the head 60. A seat 66 is formed in the wall 64 for the valve 62. The chamber 65 is open to the atmosphere through a vent 67.

Mounted in chamber 65 is an expansible coil spring 68 which bears against the head of valve 62 and maintains the stem 61 in contact with the head 60.

'Mounted in chamber 59 and encircling the isa valve stem 61, is an expansible coil spring i chamber `65 andlopening 67 when the cou- 5 71 containedin a chamber 72, Whichchamber is `connected to '-.the chamber 59 by afconduit73.

The yvalve .7l has a tinted-stem 74:*Which `extends through an "opening 751formed in 0 the valve casing. The endof the stem 74EV iabuts a face V76 onthe counterpartcoupling, andinfthis AWay `the yvalve 7l remains `un-4 seated Whenthe couplings are vcoupled .so that 'thechamber 59 will Abe `vented 'to `the Q3 `atmosphere.throughzconduit A73,:chamber .7 2

and `opening 7 V5. An eXpansible coil .spring 77is mounted `in the chamber `72-and hears against the. head .fof'thevalve71- This spring forces'the vvalve .to to `its seat AWhen `Ethe coupling Lis Jbeingjuno.

coupled from a-counterpart coupling.

In addition to .thaprimaryvalve .devi-ce .50, the apparatus is provided With-ifa .secondary valve `'device"Which is mounted in '.the brake y vpipe-5l l.for `the purpose of=controlli11gcommunication` therethrough.` n

The :secondary valve device-- comprises an angle cock havinga plug valve 8l which is nnounted in. a chamber 80 Vformed inthezbrake The valve 8l has a port or Waterway 82 :formed therein, `iand communicating "With this portare oppositely'idi'sposed `passages ."S'nand '84, respectively terminating vat the periphery of the .plug valvein-cavities'S and l.The plug lvalve 81 .has a handle or`arm'87 lwhich isadaptedtobe actuatedfby the rod 88 `offa piston 89 mounted in a cylinder 90. yThefpiston rod 88 is guided by'a. boss`9l formed in, the endof thecylinder 90, saidv 'bosshavingfa seat rib `92Ya-g-ainst Whicha valve 93 A'on 1 the piston `89 abrite, when the piston is at one end of its stroke'.

The'piston T89 is forced aw'ayfrom the seat rib 92 'by' the, pressure exertedby a. coil 'spring :94, which encircles the boss 91, one end of 'ithe `spring bearingagainst the piston, `and the opposite end 'of the spring bearing against .60 Athe end W-all 'of the Icylinder'f).

opposite to the 'spring '94, is `connected tothe .train `signa-l pipe96zb-y arconduit 97. Mounted in the conduit 97 isa suitable-manually op- 65. :enated valve 98 :adapted to vent .thef 'conduit Yface 76 foffthe countergpart "couplingswill be- -Willrgradnallyreduce, and When;V the lpressure sitionthe port-82 rat right angles tothe posiseat, thereby closing thevent to the atmosf ,to the' atmosphere, for a purpose .tobe' here `inafter described.

In'operation, When the cars ofaztrain having charged `trainpipesiare t'o be separate@ thetr-ainman ifirst actuates 1theyalve 98 to vent .the `conduit 97 lto ithezatmosphere,fand

rthen 4uncouples f the cars `in :the usual manner.

TWhen :the uncoupled cars fseparate, fthe it-rainfpipe couplings will remaincoupled :and

'locked together until `the `cars have .moved 75 apart a distancesuicient-to pull the coupling heads ll routwardly of thestems 26 .until further longitudinalmovement is 4preventedhy `the pins 29 eirgagingfsthe-ends of theslots 28.

Thisaction .will move @the lend 36 ofthe 80 .arm 37 ltoward theezrtremity ofthe portion of the stem. WVh'en the cam surface-38 en- :gfageslthefroller 34, the arm` 37 Will be caused to'movelaterally ofthe-rstemfu-ntil theroller 34 engages in the recess 89. This action re- `:tracts 'thec'ain surface 16 ofthezleverl'tffrom `.the face V17, l.thereby kunlatching the inter locked couplingheads.

V/Th'en the coupling heads sepa-rate, :the 90 Withdrawn from the end .of the valve stem 74. `Then-1i'ore,.valve 7l `Willbe seated by the zpressu're exertedby spring 77,and the: atmos .pheri-c `vent from ehamher .'59 .through con- -duit173 will be closed.

. n .95 lhenrthe valve 9Sis. actuated to vent conduit y 97 to Athe atmosphere, the pressure of the'fhrid in chamber. 95 'andthe signalnpipeff of thefluid infohamberv xhas reduced .a predetermined amount, spring 94 Will force the .piston "S9 foutwardly, .thereby withdrawing rod 88f`ronrthe 'arm-87 ofthe plu'gvalvel.

T he plug valveSl can noWbefturn-edttoipotion .shown in Fig. l, thereby closing the large opening through `the bra-ke `pipe 51. However, on account of the marinero-f con- `structing the plug valve, areducedlamount of fluid will flow through the passage `84, port `'82 'and passage, from one side of the; plug .valve to theother.V

After the plug valve Sli-hasbeen turned to its felosedposit-ion, the :reduced pressureY of the fluid in chamber 53 will permit'the-spring 69 to force the diaphragm'52 frornithe seat `rib `58 and Seat the same afgainsttheA seat rib 57,` thereby cutting through the conduit 41.

off 'communication When the diaphragm V52 isfshifted-'fromseat' 320 rib :58 vto se at rib 57,1as has been'jus't described,

the head '60 will have been Withdrawn Afrom Vthe endof the stein 61, andhencei the pressure V of the spring 68 Wi'llforceithe valve 562,130 its pherefromphainber 59. iThefpressuae ofthe iuid inft'he 'brake pipe 51,'passing into cham- -ber fetthroughfpassage 5.5 will therefore be retained int-his chamber, 'andare furtherdoss offtheipressure oflthe brakes'pipeffluidin .the-i3 chargedsection will occur as long as the coupling remains uncoupled, as will be readily understood.

On the other hand, in coupling an uncharged section to a charged section, when the cars are brought together for coupling up the trainman first turns the valve 98 to close the conduit 97 from the atmosphere. The impact of the tivo coupling heads coming together will move the coupling head 11 rearwardly on the stem 26 and this action will detach the roller 84 from its engagement with the recess 89 of the arm 36.

When the projecting nose 12 of one train pipe coupling enters the recess 18 of the counterpart coupling, the gaskets 42 of the abutting ends of the conduits 41 Will meet and the conduits 41 Will be connected together. The pressure of spring 23 will force the lever 14 outwardly toward the nose 12 of the counterpart coupling head so that the cam face 10 engages the face 17 and locks the tWo coupling heads tightly together in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

When the coupling heads 11 come together for coupling up, the stem 74 of the valve 71 will engage the face 76 of the counterpart coupling head and the valve 71 Will thus be unseated. Hence the fluid in chamber 59 Will be vented to theatmosphere through conduit 73, chamber 72 and opening 75.

l/Vhen the pressure of the fluid in chambers 54 and 59 is reduced by the escape of the fluid through opening 75, the iuid in chamber 53 Will force the diaphragm 52 away from the seat rib 57 and When the pressure builds up in chamber 58 the diaphragm will be forced against the seat rib 58. This action can be timed to take place immediately after the gaskets 42 have been brought together, so that brake pipe pressure can be quickly established in the connected train pipe sections.

After the train pipe coupling heads 11 have been coupled, the pressure of the fluid in the signal pipe 96 is built up, in the customary manner. W'hen this signal pipe pressure builds up in chamber 95, the piston 89 Will be forced outwardly against the pressure of spring 94. This action Will move the tip of the rod 88 into engagement With the arm 87 and consequently the continu-ed outward movement of the piston will rotate the plug valve 81 to bring the port 82 into registration with the opening in the train pipe 51. In this Way unrestricted llow of the fluid in the brake pipe can be had after the couplings have been coupled together and a predetermined amount of pressure has first been built up in the unenarged section.

In devices of the type herein shown and described it is of advantage to permit a predetermined reduction in brake pipe pressure When the couplings are unintentionally part- 65. ed before cutting otl communication through the conduits 41, so that an emergency application of the brakes can be effected.

Therefore, When the train pipe coupling heads are unintentionally parted and the face 76 recedes from the projecting ends of the valve stems 74, the spring 77 Will force the valve 71 of each coupling head to its seat. In this Way the atmospheric vent from chamber 59 through conduit 73, chamber 7 2, and opening Will be closed. However, inasmuch as chamber 59 is also vented to the atmosphere through opening 63, chamber 65 and vent 67 should any fluid in chamber 54 leak past the seat rib 58, such fluid can pass to the asmosphere through vent 67.

In this manner a quantity of fluid Will be permitted to How from the brake pipe 51, through chamber 53 and out the conduit 41 of the separated couplings to produce an emergency application of the brakes. is this action Will reduce the pressure of the fluid in chamber 53, the diaphragm 52 Will be forced from the seat rib 58 by spring ('59 and will be seated against seat rib 57, thereby closing the passage 41 so as to retain the fluid in the brake pipe after the emergency application of the brakes has been eected.

For the purpose of providing means for indicating When the plug valve of the train pipe coupling is closed, the brake pipe 51 may be equipped With a valve of the type shown in Fig. 2, in lieu of the secondary valve device shown in Fig. 1.

s shown, the Wall of the chamber 80 is provided with an atmospheric passage 101 'that is adapted to be connected With a cavity 102 formed in the plug valve 103 when the plug valve is in closed position.

rIhe cavity 102 has a greater area than the cavity 86 of the plug valve 81, and this cavity 102 is connected. to the main port or \va terWay 104 of the plug valve by means of a passage 105. On the opposite side of the port 108, the plug valve is formed with a passage 106 and a cavity 107 which are respectively similar in construction to the passage 83 and cavity heretofore referred to.

When making up a train in which the train pipe'couplings are equipped with the plug valves 108, should a cock handle be left in cle-sed position, brake pipe air escapes through passage 105, cavity 102 and passage 101 to the atmosphere, thereby Warning the trainman.

@n the rear of an empty section which is being attached to a charged section, the diaphragm 52 Will be seated against the seat rib 57 due to the pressure of the spring G9. I'ille plug valve on the rear is so positioned as to restrict the amount of fluid so as to prevent the diaphragm 52 from being lifted from the seat rib 57 and permit the pressure to build up above it. As soon as the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm equalizes, the

plug valve handle is moved to open position,

thereby moving the cavity 102 from registration with the passage 101 to stop the blow to atmosphere at the cock.

While one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a brake pipe and a signal pipe, of an automatic train pipe coupling 'having a conduity communicating with the brake pipe, valve means for establishing communication through the conduit, or for cutting oli communication therethrough when the coupling is being coupled to or uncoupled from a counterpart coupling, a secondary valve means for regulating the quantity of fluid flowing through the brake pipe. irrespective of the position of the first-named valve means, and means actuated by the pressure of the fluid in the signal pipe for actuating the secondary valve means.

2. The combination with a brake pipe, of a coupling having a conduit communicating with the brake pipe, a valve controlling communication through the brake pipe, a port in the valve for permitting an unrestricted flow of Huid through the pipe when the valve is fully opened, and passages communicating with said port for permitting a limited amount of fluid to iiow through the brake pipe when the valve is closed. Y

3. An automatic train pipe coupling having a conduit communicating with the brake pipe, primary valve means controlling communication through the conduit, secondary valve means for controlling communication through the brake pipe to permit a restricted flow of fluid from the brake pipe to the conduit, means for automatically actuating the primary valve means to open or close the conduit when the coupling is coupled to or uncoupled from a counterpart coupling, and means for actuating the second valve mea-ns to unrestrictedly open the brake pipe, including a pressure sensitive device operable only upon the coming together of the coupling with a counterpart coupling.

1.1.. A device of the class described comprising a coupling head having a conduit, a valve device for controlling communication through the conduit, said valve device including a diaphragm movable toward and away from a seat formed in the conduit, a brake pipe communicating with the conduit, and means for controlling the amount of fluid passing from the brake pipe to the conduit whereby suliicient fluid pressure wil be maintained in the conduit to force the diaphragm against its seat when the coupling is uncoupled.

5. A device of the class described comprising a coupling head having a conduit, a chamber connected to the conduit, opposed valve seats, one of which is positioned between the conduit and the chamber, a valve mounted in the chamber and adapted to alternately engage said seats to either establish communication or to cut off communication through the conduit, a brake pipe communicating with the conduit, and means for controlling the amount of fluid passing through the brake pipe whereby sufficient pressure will be maintained in the chamber to actuate the conduit valve.

6. A device of the class described comprising' a coupling having a conduit,a plurality of chambers connected to the conduit, opposed valve seats, one of which is disposed between the conduit and one of said chambers, a diaphragm interposed between the chambers and adapted to engage said seats to either establish communication or to cut olf communication through the conduit, a brake pipe communicatinglwith the chambers, and a valve Vfor controlling the amount of fluid passing from the brake pipe to the chambers whereby sufficient pressure will be maintained at all times to force the diaphragm toward either of its seats.

7. The combination with a brake pipe, of a coupling having a conduit communicating with the brake pipe and, a valve controlling communication from the brake pipe to said conduit, said valve having a through port which in open position provides a free flow of fluid and an auxiliary port for restricting the llow of fluid when the through port is in closed position.

8. The combination with a brake pipe, of a coupling having aV conduit communicating with the brake pipe, and a valve controlling communication from the brake pipe to said conduit, said valve having a through port which in open position provides a free flow of fluid, and auxiliary ports connected to said through port for providing a restricted flow of fluid when the through port is in closed position.

9. The combination with a brake pipe, of a coupling having a conduitcommunicating with the brake pipe, and a valve for controlling communication from the brake to the conduit, said valve having a port for permitting an unrestricted flow of iiuid when the valve is open, supplemental ports of smaller flow area for permitting a restricted amount of fluid to-flow through the valve when the same is closed, and a port adapted to register with said supplemental ports lforventing a 

